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18 Common Phrases to Avoid in Conversation

Kristyn Kusek Lewis

Some things should never be said―like these phrases. Here, what to say instead.

What Not to Say About Someone's Appearance

Don’t say: “You look tired.” Why: It implies she doesn’t look good. Instead say: “Is everything OK?” We often blurt the “tired” comment when we get the sense that the other person feels out of sorts. So just ask.

Don’t say: “Wow, you’ve lost a ton of weight!” Why: To a newly trim person, it might give the impression that she used to look unattractive. Instead say: “You look fantastic.” And leave it at that. If you’re curious about how she got so svelte, add, “What’s your secret?”

Don’t say: “You look good for your age.” Why: Anything with a caveat like this is rude. It's saying, "You look great―compared with other old people. It's amazing you have all your own teeth."Instead say: “You look great.”

Don’t say: “I could never wear that.” Why: It can be misunderstood as a criticism. (“I could never wear that because it’s so ugly.”) Instead say: “You look so good in skinny jeans.” If you slip, say something like “I could never wear that…because I wasn’t blessed with your long legs.” Expert: Clinton Kelly, cohost of the TLC show, What Not to Wear.